The secret? It's quite simple. Activity, and diet.
Carbs themselves are not evil, it's the simple, refined, processed sugars that are the main culprit.
First thing in Am. You need to stoke the fire, and burn up the glucose that has been stored. A simple fast paced walk, bike ride, swim for 30 mins, hell even walking the dog is better than sitting in front of TV swigging coffee with a donut.
Complex Carbs with some protein and fat to start the day, try to keep the glucose spikes down. A good protein shake and banana is better than nothing, now that you got the motor running, you dont want it starving for fuel. Stay active and moving throughout the day, standing,instead of sitting, taking the stairs, you get the idea. Snack between meals, stay satiated. Eat a big lunch when you can, no sweet tea, no simple carbs, indulge in protein and veggies. A snack in the afternoon is fine, some fibery fruit, another shake.
Time to get that motor up into the higher rpm range before your workout. Get moving, increase that heart rate. Resistance workouts are a must, pumping iron or completing a circuit on the machines.
Dont overlook dinner as being important to replacing your body's fuel, you want to use the good gas, not the cheap ethanol watered down with "added sugars". Relax.
Dont eat just before laying down for the night, a healthy snack a few hours prior is fine, keep the Carbs down. Cheese, peanut butter, yogurt, etc. Walk the dog, bike ride again.
Lots of water throughout the day is essential. I like to keep some cucumbers and onions soaked in ACV in the fridge to curb cravings. Get a good nights sleep.
Following this simple routine, keeping large blood sugar spikes to a minimum, while eating enough quality whole food, will help you attain most goals. Your going to get out of it, what you put into it.
The same recipe for bulking, cutting, controlling your diabetes.
You have to stay moving, revving that engine once in awhile, while keeping the tank full of quality fuel.
Side effects will include a lowered A1C, smaller waist, leaner mass, looking better, so you will feel better.
The correct use of PEDS, in the smallest amounts, think in the long term, to enhance, not be the foundation, will be the icing on the cake, that you can have and eat it too.
After all, your perception of vanity is all in your head.